6517 Finzel Rd., Whitehouse, OH 43571 (419) 877-0607 www.commofchrist.org Pastor Matthew S. Lash pastormatt@commofchrist.org SUNDAY MORNINGS ARE NEW THIS FALL! New Starting Time: 9:00-9:55 am MUSIC * SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE * MONTHLY PRAYER * OFFERING CELEBRATION Week One ~ Storytelling Week Two ~ Craft and Learning Week Three ~ Games & Activities Week Four ~ IT S NEW: KRYSTAL BELLS
FROM THE PASTOR Questions I am asking RIGHT NOW You will be reading these words in the month of August---and every question I have will have been answered by LIFE---the passage of time. Events passing. Experiences rushing by. Minutes, days, weeks---all gone by. And today maybe my questions (in retrospect) were not all that important or were they?? Will our 29 teens and 4 adults have a positive experience, a moving encounter with God during BIG STUF RETREAT, June 18-24? Will there be children and families from Vacation Bible School who may show a renewed interest in Jesus and His Church as a result of everything that happened this week? What direction will our educational ministries take at Community of Christ this fall? What does God have in store for our children, teens and adults? I wonder will my grand girls know me any better as Grandpa after my summer vacation? Will the days away refresh and renew Marsha and me? Life brings an assortment of questions for you and me! We have very few answers. I was at a fair recently and there was a booth that offered readings ----palm readers, tarot cards and crystals. The promoter offered me a coupon for 20% off the advertised charge. The line..(yes, I said L I N E ) wrapped around the corner. People with so many questions. Men and women carrying burdens. Folks wanting answers. Tell me my future. Answers. A dear woman sat dealing the cards a second woman was searching for longest vein on my palm. Answers were being sold for twenty five dollars. Questions got answered for cold hard cash. While I respect those who may have the gift of interpretation and abilities I don t fully understand--- my confidence and faith is not placed in crystal balls or on the palm of my hand. And yet, I understand the line. I have questions too. I want to know all the answers to every mystery. I would like the master key to the test questions too. There is a reason for what I know, and I trust there is reason for me NOT knowing all. I am led by that wind driven Spirit to tune in to the Word that has been present since the beginning. Good news. Saving news. Now, the Lord God is not our answer man ---but to be sure, His Word provides you and me with what we need to know.even right now. In spite of all the questions I may have for the future---his Word answers the deepest cry from my heart right now YOU ARE MY CHILD I AM WITH YOU I AM PREPARING A PLACE FOR YOU Whether the passing of the weeks, months, and years bring us great joy or heart wrenching sorrow-- -NOTHING CHANGES the fact that I am and you are a CHILD OF GOD. You are part of the family of God. You have a place at the Table and Jesus has set a plate for you. How awesome it is----what we KNOW is so much greater that what we don t know today!! Celebrating WHAT I KNOW AND YOU KNOW---this very moment in time. May God speak to you as the moments and minutes pass you. Peace, Pastor Matt Lash
WORSHIP I rejoice with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord! (Psalm 122: 1) Worship Life in August Good times with family and friends! August provides us the opportunity to grab the remaining days of summer, and get ready for a fun-filled fall season! Your congregation offers the tradition of worship! Each Saturday & Sunday, we will gather for Word and Sacrament. Let WORSHIP center your heart as you serve Jesus each day! Weekend of August 5/6 9 th Sunday of Pentecost Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4:00 p.m. Message AMAZING MIRACLES! Gifts & Giving Sunday, August 6 Worship & Holy Communion 9:00 a.m. Weekend of August 12/13 10 th Sunday of Pentecost Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4:00 p.m. Message AMAZING MIRACLES! Water Walking Sunday, August 13 Worship & Holy Communion 9:00 a.m. Weekend of August 19/20 11 th Sunday of Pentecost Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4:00 p.m. Message AMAZING MIRACLES! Silent miracles Sunday, August 20 Worship & Holy Communion 9:00 a.m. Weekend of August 26/27 RETURN TO FALL WORSHIP HOURS! 12 th Sunday of Pentecost Saturday, Worship & Holy Communion 4:00 p.m. Message AMAZING MIRACLES! The Key Building Product! Sunday, September 24 Worship & Holy Communion 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. WORSHIP highlights Welcome back to Fall Worship Hours! We are happy to offer two worship services on Sunday morning, as of Sunday, August 27. We worship at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Please remember Saturday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. year round. See you at worship! Welcome NEW acolytes & crucifers! You will be seeing our NEW confirmation students take part in our worship service! Our acolytes enter the Lord s house with the light of Jesus Christ! Please thank each one for participating in Sunday worship. A training session will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 27 for ALL NEW ACOLYTES AND CRUCIFERS. We encourage all children entering fourth grade to join our acolyte team too!! SEE YOU ON AUGUST 27. Bible Sunday, September 17-8:00 & 10:00 a.m. We will present Bibles to all three year olds and NEW third graders! Parents: Watch for a letter! Reformation Sunday, October 29 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. Celebrating the 500 th Anniversary of Grace filled Reformation history! God s gift of grace to His people! Celebrate our Lutheran heritage. First Communion Sunday - A very blessed Reformation Day for our children! Fall classes in October. All 2 nd -3 rd graders invited to join us. All Saints Sunday, November 5th - Please come and remember the names of those who rest in the Lord s presence. A sign up for names of loved ones and friends will soon be posted.
PARISH EDUCATION They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42) Growing in God s Holy Word Pastor s Weekly Bible Study Adult Bible Study Every Sunday morning!. Join us beginning, Sunday, September 10 th! A weekly study of God s Holy Word! Plan to join us on Sundays in the library. ALL ARE WELCOME! Ladies Tuesday Morning Bible Study Begins Sept 12 at 8:30am. All ladies of the church are invited. This session we will be studying the book by Karen Ehman, LET.IT.GO. Are you a control freak? Have to have things your way? Are you trying to be Godly or are you trying to be God? In this study, we will learn how to stop running the show and start walking the faith. Please sign up on the kiosk so books can be ordered. Any questions contact Becky King at 419-877-0725. Pastor s Afternoon Bible Study - Thursday, Sept. 14- Nov. 16 GOLIATH MUST FALL -- Winning the Battle Against Your Giants It s likely you have a threatening giant in your life.an adversary or strong hold that s diminishing your ability to live a full and free life. God has plan to set us. Free by His Grace! Come and rejoice in the story of young shepherd named David who slew the giant, Goliath! The study is guided by a text written by best selling author, Louis Giglio. We will enjoy message segments too! SIGN UP TODAY! Bible Sunday---Sunday, September 17! Parents gather around the baptismal font and God forms a covenant, Will you place in their hands the holy scriptures.. On Bible Sunday your church family encourages your faithfulness to this holy covenant! We welcome three year olds & third graders, along with parents and sponsors to come forward for prayer and an age-appropriate copy of the scriptures. Invite Grandparents and family to join you for this very special blessing! Holy Communion Classes - A fall session will be held for all third graders and young people who wish to prepare for the sacrament of Holy Communion. Three sessions will be held on Wednesday afternoon beginning October 11 th.. First communion Sunday will be held on Reformation Sunday, October 29. Call the church office to register your youngster. If you have questions about your child s preparation, please speak with Pastor Matt
YOUTH MINISTRIES Teach them to your children, to their children after them (Deuteronomy 4:9) Welcome Back to Fall C of C Teens! Saturday, September 30 th 6:00-8:30 pm Dinner & Table Talk 6:00 pm Small Group Teen Faith Talk Topic back to school---faith in the backpack! Games & Activities! Fall Activity Planning Calendar! Confirmation Classes Kick off September 5th! We will enjoy an awesome fall study about WHAT TEENS IN CHRIST BELIEVE! A fun study of the Apostle Creed kicks off our year! Our confirmation instruction is a two year program for Junior high students. We gather on Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Please contact the church office (419-877-0607) for more information. OUTREACH Serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13) NEW BEGINNINGS---Orientation! Have you invited a friend or colleague to visit Community of Christ? Do you have a neighbor looking for a church? Have you been bringing a friend to worship on the weekends? Pastor Matt and members of our outreach team will host an informative orientation on Sunday, September 17; 11:15-12:15 p.m. Pastor will share the basic beliefs of the church, share the mission of Community of Christ and pass along helpful information about our congregation! Each participant will receive an information packet! Light refreshments will be served. Community of Christ Represented at Rouche De Boufe! Community of Christ will welcome community members into our very own canopy at the Waterville festival! We plan to distribute bags that include information about our beliefs, holiday schedule, upcoming concerts, and much more! PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO SERVE AT ROUCHE DE BOUFE ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23!!!
Coffee Hour Fellowship We can enjoy fellowship and refreshment on Sunday morning IF we have many volunteers and assistance! We need more families to offer to bring a breakfast snack on Sundays. We also appreciate those who remain after 10:00 worship and clean up the coffee pots. Please contact the church office (419-877-0607) to be placed on a rotation calendar. Thank you. College Students and Families! Would you do us a favor? Please provide the church office with an updated picture of your college daughter or son! We would like to post their year, and the University they currently attend! We plan to keep in touch and pray for your college kids! Lutheran World Relief School Kits The Social Action Committee is collecting supplies for Project Promise Build Kits of Care through Lutheran World Relief. These kits allow students of all ages in third world countries to attend school. Anyone with sewing skills is encouraged to make a drawstring backpack. Patterns are available by the display in the Gathering Space. Donations will be collected through September. Our confirmation classes will assemble the kids during an October Agape Day. 70 sheet notebooks of wide or college ruled paper, 8-1/2 x 11, (no loose-leaf paper) School scissors, blunt tip 30 cm ruler or ruler containing cm and inches Pencil sharpener Black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink) New, unsharpened pencils with erasers Eraser, approx. 2-1/2 long Box of crayons (16 or 24 crayons) Please give only new items. LWF cannot accept any items with any religious symbol, message, or group name or items decorated with a US flag, patriotic or military symbol, or reference to the armed forces, including camouflage. Thank you for your generosity! Stewardship For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21) We are grateful - for those offerings that are received following vacation time. Your additional gifts to the mission of the church keep us strong and able to meet the costs of fall ministries. Thank you for returning your gifts to the Lord!
CHURCH LIFE They enjoyed the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:47) Church Council Church Council Second Tuesday of the Month - Next meeting August 8 Our Church Council will gather on the second Tuesday of the month. You are always welcome to be part of the conversation. If you would like to address the council or share a concern or joy, please call the church office to be put on the agenda. You will be welcomed to share your thoughts at the beginning of our meetings. We meet in the Sunday school classrooms beginning at 7:00 p.m. Please pray for our church leaders. Choirs Start Confirmation Bells - Tuesday, September 5 @ 6:00pm Youth Choir - Tuesday, September 5 @ 6:45pm Adult Choir - Wednesday, September 6 @ 7pm Bell Choir - Thursday, September 7 @ 6:30pm Community of Christ is now set up as a charity for Amazon Smile. Anyone using Smile.Amazon will make a.5% contribution of their purchases to Community of Christ. Go to www.smile.amazon.com and make C of C your contribution of choice. A Special Thank You A thank you to Pastor Matt for the beautiful service for Roger s funeral. It meant a lot to me and our family. A lot of compliments on it. To Eric, thank you for your wonderful music and to the Women of the Church for the luncheon after the service. Thank you to all who gave a donation to the Church in memory of Roger. Thank you again Carol Heuerman and our children and grandchildren.
Fall Kickoff / End of Summer Bash! Sunday, August 27 th, 3-5pm. Come ONE come ALL to our fall kickoff and ice cream social. There will be LIVE entertainment by Pantasia (a local steel drum band) and ice cream served by our very own ICE CREAM MAN! Community of Christ Book Club 2017-18 Selections September 19 - At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier (copies at circulation desk beginning August 1 st ) October 17 - Wangs vs the World by Jade Chang November 21 - When Breathe Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi December 19 - Christmas Get-together January 16 - Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barber February 20 - Hallelujah Anyway by Anne Lamott March 20 - Boston Girl by Anita Diamant April 17 - Orphan Mother by Robert Hicks May 15 - Killers of the Flower Moon by David Gran June 19 - Dry by Jane Harper Like us on Facebook Community of Christ Lutheran Church Visit our website www.commofchrist.org